Infant table



y 1962 M. J. SARGENT 3,034,153

INFANT TABLE Filed July 9, 1959 147 TOP/VA Y5 United States Patent3,034,153 INFANT TABLE Mary J. Sargent, Austin, Minn. (24 CabrilloCourt, San Rafael, Calif.) Filed July 9, 1959, Ser. No. 825,920 2Claims. (Cl. 5-98) This invention relates to infant tables suitable fordress ing, bathing or changing an infant thereon and more particularlyto infant tables of this type having guard means surrounding said tabletop to prevent the infant rolling oif thereof.

An important object of this invention is a novel infant table providedwith upstanding sides or guard rails surrounding the table top toconfine the infant thereto and prevent the infant rolling therefrom, atleast one of said sides being adapted to be raised or lowered to permitthe attendant to attend to the infant without being subjected to theinconvenience of having to reach over an interfering rail or sideportion and which permits said side to be raised into guarding,confining, retaining position if necessity requires the infant to bemomentarily left unattended.

Still another object is an infant table of the class described having anapron or pocket strip depending from the front or working side thereofadjacent to the movable side or guard rail in which the side or rail isadapted to be lowered so as not to interfere with obtaining access tosaid pockets.

A further object is an infant table of the collapsible variety havingupstanding sides or guard rails surrounding the table top thereof whichsides are adapted to fold into or assume an out of the way position whenthe table is collapsed or folded together and which do not materiallyadd to the thickness of the collapsed table unit.

Still another object is a collapsible or folding infant table of theclass described having detachable bracing means which also function astowel racks when the table is set up in operative condition.

A further object is a collapsible or folding infant table having afreely depending apron or pocket strip disposed on the Working sidethereof which is adapted to remain in substantially upright verticalposition in both collapsed and set up condition to prevent spilling ofthe contents therefromn A more specific object is a collapsible tablehaving a collapsible table top portion which is adapted to fold inwardlyupon itself when in collapsed condition with the side portion disposednormal to the fold line thereof being also of collapsible structure topermit folding of said sides or ends into collapsed conditionsimultaneously with the collapsing of said table top portion to permitcollapsing of said table to a minimum thickness.

Another more specific object is a folding infant table having guardrails surrounding the table top portion in Y which the table is adaptedto fold over and overlie the supporting legs of said table when incollapsed condition to assume a position generally parallel thereto inwhich the sides surrounding said table are hingedly mounted thereto andadapted to assume a position generally parallel to said table top whenin collapsed condition so as not to materially increase the overallthickness of the table unit when in collapsed folded condition.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of my invention in setupoperative condition;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the structure of FIG. 1 incollapsed folded condition;

3,634,153 Patented May 15, 1962 FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail view insection and perspective showing an alternate form of my invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating still anotherform of my invention; and FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of theform of invention shown in FIG. 4 in collapsed folded condition.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, which illustratesa preferred embodiment of my invention, the infant table of my inventioncomprises a table supporting frame including spaced apart pairs ofcrossed supporting legs 10 and 11 which are pivotally connectedinter-mediate their ends by a suitable connecting pin as at 12, whichpins also support the pivotally mounted shelf 13 disposed beneath thetable top 14. Detachable diagonal braces 15 of springy or resilientnature are pivotally carried by said shelf 13, the other ends of saiddiagonal braces 15 being adapted for detachable locking engage ment withthe front legs 10 as by insertion in a suitable aperture provided forreceivingsame in said legs 10. The frame is also provided withhorizontal bracing members 16 of suitable spring material which arepreferably pivotally mounted at one end to one of said legs 10 or 11 andare preferably sufiiciently resilient to permit the removable insertionof said other end into a suitable aperture provided in the opposite legby slight bending or temponary deformation thereof, the resiliency ofthe material being sufiioient to hold the braces I16 in locked position.

In setup operative locked position as shown in FIG. 1,

the braces 16 not only maintain the legs 10 and 11 in lapsing of thetables during use but are also preferably disposed adjacent the tabletop 14 within convenient reach of the attendant to permit articles suchas towels, washcloth's, and infants clothes to be hung or drapedtherefrom.

The back legs 11 are integrally connected to and united byalongitudinally disposed table supporting front bar 17 and the frontlegs 10 are integrally connected to and united by a 'back longitudinallydisposed table supporting bar 18 which bars 17 and 18 provide the frontand back marginal edges of the table top respectively. The table top 14spans the distance between the front and back bars 17 and 18respectively and is secured thereto by any suitable means. In the formshown in FIGS. land 2, the table top 14 is preferably constructed ofcollapsible ma terial or foldable fabric such as treated canvas. Thistype of collapsible fabric material is generally preferable for use oninfant tables since it provides a somewhat yielding surface Which isgenerally more comfortable for the infant than would be a solid tabletop of conventional design. In addition, the collapsible fabric materialalso permits a collapsing or folding thereof as shown in FIG. 2 whichwould not otherwise be possible or achievable if a solid table top wereused. An apron or pocket strip.19 is suspended from the frontlongitudinal supporting bar 17 and is provided with a plurality ofpockets 2.0 which are opened at the top and which are adapted to receivetoilet articles such as-brushes, soap,

pins and the like and place said articles within convenient'reach of theattendant.

The infant table of my invention is provided; with guard or restrainingmeans'for enclosing the table top 14 on all sides thereof to confine theinfant thereto and prevent its falling off the table,saidmeans'compris'ing a The front member or panel 22 is adapted to beraised or. lowered as desired for the convenience of the attendant legsand 11. Thus, it canbe seen that the infant table movement, the railconsisting of an elongate top portion 7 3 25 and side portions 25a whichare hingedly mounted at their lower ends to the supporting bar 17. V

'In the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is no paneling provided orcarried by the rail 25, the rail 25 being of a height which inupstanding locked condition is suf ficient to restrain the infant andconfine the same to the table and low enough to prevent the infant fromsliding underneath or becoming caught thereunder and possibly stranglingitself.

The back member 21 may also be of open rail construction similar to rail25, but in the form shown it is provided with paneling-such as thecollapsible material used for the table top 14, said back panel 21 beingprovided with an upper rail portion 21a extending between the'cornerposts 24, disposed at the rear corners of the :table.

In the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the end or side members or panels 23are of collapsible fabric preferably corresponding to that employed forthe table top.

14 and are secured at each end to the, corner posts 24.

These sideor end panels 23 are preferably sturdy enough and of a lengthwhich when in set up operative position arernaintained in a generallyupstanding position and are preferably united at their lower edge to themarginal edge of the table top 14 to prevent the infantfrom slippingtherebetween. In this form of my invention the endipanels 23 are'notprovided with any rigid rail structure extending between the front andback panels or corners 24 which would interfere with the ready collapse.of said I back panels when the table is folded or unfolded. The

front. restraining member 22 is provided with any suitablemeans fordetachably locking" the member inupstanding positively fixed position tothe front corner posts 24, which locking means areso designed as toprevent the menmber from being detached or disconnected from the cornerposts in the event that outward pressure is applied to the member by theinfant.

In short, the latch means provided should exert a posi- .tive lockingaction to prevent accidental disengagement.

These locking means may consist of a latch member, 26 pivotallyconnected to the front members 22. and adapted to detachably andlockingly engage one of the side members 23 or front corner posts. 24.

In the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 2-, the front, open rail structure isadapted to swing downwardly so that the of my invention as set forth inFIGS. 1 and 2 permits the the same to be collapsed or folded into areadily transportable or storable unit of minimum thickness with theprotective or confining sides or panels designed so as not tointerferewith this collapsible feature and which do not add totheoverall thickness of the collapsed folded structure. a

An alternative form of my invention is shown in FIGS.

4 and 5, which structure is basically similar both structurally andfunctionally to the form shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 but which isadaptedprimarily for use with a rigid table top. In the form shown inFIGS. 4 and S the basic supporting structure is the same foldable one asthat hers or panels of the confining structure are the same as top railportion 25 lies beneath-or adjacent the bottom of 1 said pockets topermit the attendant to have ready access to the pockets 20. In theevent that the front member 22 is provided with paneling 2242' as bestseen in FIGl 3,

as an alternate form. of this invention, then the apron 19 is' madesomewhat longer so that the 'pocketszllare I disposed beneath the frontmember 22 when the same is .in lowered depending position as best seenin FIG. 3to prevent the paneling 22a from overlying the opentopsof thepockets 20 and interfering with convenient access to said-pockets. 1

s For ease in transport ngor storagefthe infant table "illustratedin'FIGS. land 2 is collapsed or broken clown by simply disengagingthe-diagonal braces 15 and the horizontal braces 16 and folding thesupporting bars 17 and 18 inwardly towards one another, the table top 14thereby folding in on itself and handing downwardly between saidsupporting bars 17- and 18, the collapsible end or side panels 23 alsofolding inwardly permitting the table structure to assume the collapsedposition best seen in FIG. 2. In collapsed position the. shelf 13assumesa position generally parallel to the folded cross shown in FIGS. 1 and2. However, in this instance the table top is of rigid structure, suchas sheet metal stamped out of aluminum, which rigid table top 27 ishingedly mounted to one of the supporting bars 17 or 18 as by a hingemember 28 and is adapted for detachable engagement with said other ofthe supporting bars 17 or 18 as by clamping means 29. In this form thetable top. in collapsed position is disengaged at one side thereof fromone of the supporting bars 17 or 18 and is permitted to swing down andoverlie the legs 10 and 11 when in folded position so as to be generallyparallel thereto as seen best infFIG. 5.

In thisform 'of my invention the front and back mempreyiously described,the back panels 21 being optionally fixedly s'ecured in upstandingposition to the back supporting her 17 or hingedly mounted thereto or tothe table tops 27 as at 30- in FIG. 4 and the front member 22may be aspreviously'described. The side 'or end pan el s.23 may also becollapsibleas per FIGS. 1 and 2 or for added protection they may be ofsolid construction or be of collapsible paneling witha supporting railstructure as shown by the side members 31 in FIG. 4. If the side or endpanels 31'of this alternate form of my inventionare of rigidconstruction, then they are provided with a hinge or pivot connection tothe rigid table top 27 as at 32 so as to permit them to be swung intoupstanding confining position or to be folded downwardly so as tooverlie the table top in folded or collapsed position when not in use asin FIG. 5. a

In this form of my invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, positive lockingmeans are provided for securing the side panels to the back panel tolock the same in upright confining position when an infant is disposedon the table top. In the form shown, these locking means consist of alooped member 33 pivotally secured at one end to the back panel andadapted .to he slid over an upstanding retaining pin or abutment 34carried by the side'or end panels at the corners thereof to' engage saidpin and positively hold the end panel in upright position. However, itshould be clearly understood that it is within the scope of my inventionto provide any suitable locking means between said side'and back panelswhich wouldlock the side panels in upstanding position and which willnot disengage if subjected to an outwardly directed pressure as by aninfant body resting against them, and which may be easily released orunlocked to permit folding of the table into the smallest unit possible.'The'front panel structure 2 is detachably fastened to the end panels 31in upright restraining position by any suitable means such as fastener35.

Thus, from the foregoing, the advantages of my invention are readilyapparent. I have provided an in fant table which is especially suited tothe bathing; dressing or changing of an infant thereon and which isreadily off the table particularly when the infant is left unattended.

In addition, the confining structure is adapted so as to readilycollapse with the frame and table structure and yet provide a sturdyrestraining influence when in setup extended position. In addition, theprovision of a front restraining rail or panel which may be raised orlowered as desired permits the person attending the infant toconveniently do so by lowering the front rail or panel to an out of theway position and yet is readily raisable to a locked position tocompletely surround and enclose the table top if the attendant mustleave the infant unattended for a short period of time.

Further advantages consist in the fact that the pocket structure isadapted to always hang free in a generally vertical position whether incollapsed or set up position to prevent spilling of the contentstherefrom and the front panel is so designed as to not interfere withaccess to said pocket when the rail or panel is in lowered position.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various partswithout departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. An infant table comprising a foldable collapsible body supportingtable top, collapsible supporting structure for said table top includingopposing frame portions connected to opposite sides of said top forholding said top in extended body supporting condition when saidsupporting structure is unfolded, said frame portions being adapted formovement towards each other into substantially juxtaposed side-by-siderelationship with each other when said supporting structure is collapsedwhereby said opposite sides of said top are brought into juxtapositionand said top is collapsed and folded upon itself and nested between saidframe portions, and body retainingwalls mounted about the entireperiphery of said table top, one of the retaining walls on one side ofsaid top being disconnectible from the remainder of said retaining wallsand adapted for independent movement into and out of retaining position,the retaining walls located on the other opposite sides of said top andextending between said frame portions being collapsible and adapted tobe collapsed and folded upon themselves when said supporting structureis collapsed.

2. An infant table including a body supporting table top and asupporting structure therefor, and retaining walls adjacent the marginaledges of said table top substantially completely enclosing said tabletop to confine an infant thereon, one of said retaining walls beingdisconnectible from said other walls and adapted for independentmovement into and out of retaining position, said independently movablewall being an open generally rectangular rigid frame member hingedlymounted on said supporting structure, and including an apron suspendedfrom the supporting structure below said hingedly mounted frame member,said apron having open topped article receiving pockets disposed on theouter face thereof immediately below the table top, the frame when inlowered position being disposed below and to the sides of said apron soas not to interfere with the accessibility to said pockets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS902,508 Rathborne Oct. 27, 1908 1,219,715 Eiseman Mar. 20, 19171,426,160 Driver Aug. 15, 1922 1,777,275 Goodman Sept. 30, 19301,889,340 Anderegg Nov. 29, 1932 2,484,382 Kennedy Oct. 11, 19492,514,735 Wilson et al. July 11, 1950

